Poetry in Bollywood: Ajeeb Daastaan hain yeh

So this is something new I am trying out. Last night when I was listening to some old songs on Youtube, it suddenly struck me that it will be an interesting exercise to translate them into English poems or mood pieces. Now there are tens of websites which transliterate Hindi songs into English (e.g. Bollymeaning.com). These do a good enough job of conveying the meaning. But I’ve not been able to find good enough translations that make an effort to preserve the spirit of the song as well.

Also, I’ve long wanted to improve my poetry from abysmal (where it is now) to something resembling good. So this could be both fun and useful, if done well.

Here is a tale, unheard of, unseen
Where does it end? Where does it begin?
What is it that we both hunger for?
Neither he nor I can tell for sure

.

The flame that burns ever so bright
Spreads more smoke than delight
In the gloom my eyes thinly sing
Psalms of awakening

.

I bless your gay new world, dearest
With love, joy, grace and zest
Though you may find one distant day
That I’m far, too far away

.

We must part; the sun has fallen
The night’s young, yet barren
Alas, this song of you and me
Is but a fond memory

.

Here is a tale, unheard of, unseen
Where does it end? Where does it begin?
What is it that we both hunger for?
Neither he nor I can tell for sure

The beauty of a translation is that the translator has a certain degree of freedom in how he or she interprets the original. If you agree or disagree with how I’ve written it, or if the song moves you to write something down too, please do in the comments below.

This explains . I loved the term ‘translation in spirit’.
You have translated this song with keeping the pathos of wistfulness and longing at second layer. On the first layer ,it feels like a resigned parting. Well done.